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Baker College of Port Huron officials announced that its truck driving certificate program for its Romeo training facility has been granted initial certification by the Professional Truck Driver Institute (PTDI). Certification is valid for five years.

“Certification by PTDI ensures that our students continue to receive training that is current, complete and applicable to the industry,” said Susan Porrett, Baker College of Port Huron dean of business administration. “It is through the efforts of our truck driving program coordinator, Mark Miles, as well as the instructors, that our truck driving students are a step ahead of the competition. Today, many carriers accept only graduates from a PTDI-certified program.”

The Baker College of Port Huron truck driving training facility is located at the site of REI Trucking in Romeo, Mich. Through a partnership with REI, Baker College of Port Huron students train on REI equipment. The facility is also used for classroom range training, and as part of the program training, students haul live loads under the supervision of REI driver trainers.

The truck driving certificate program at Baker College of Port Huron is offered during spring and fall quarters. The program trains individuals for entry-level positions as local or long distance drivers of tractor/trailers, heavy trucks, dump trucks and tankers. Courses are designed to prepare graduates to sit for Michigan’s Commercial Driver Licensing Class A examination.

“The industry outlook is good, as the nation depends on the trucking industry and the services that it provides,” said David Wehman, Baker College System program coordinator, transportation management. “According to labor statistics, there will be a 9 percent growth in truck driving jobs between 2008 and 2018. This represents approximately 291,000 new jobs.”

A first-year driver may earn, on average, $43,500 per year with benefits. PTDI-certified programs are currently offered at 67 schools in 29 states and Canada. Baker College is the only school in Michigan to offer the program. In addition to the Port Huron campus, Baker’s Flint and Cadillac campuses also offer PTDI-certified truck driving programs.

PTDI is a national, non-profit organization established for two purposes: 1) to develop uniform industry skill, curriculum and certification standards for entry-level truck driver training and motor carrier driver finishing programs, and 2) to certify entry-level truck driver training courses at public and private schools and driver finishing programs at carriers for compliance with PTDI standards.